Quote

It happens, I do not know how, that most of the proud never really discover their true selves. They think they have conquered their passions and they find out how poor they really are only after they die.

John Climacus

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Climacus
Monk
Philosopher
Saint
sy
Saint John Climacus
Thinking
Poor
Conquered
True
Selves
Happens
Passions
Find
Discover
Self
Humility
Really
Proud
Never
Passion
Think
Dies

More quotes by John Climacus

Image
When you hear that your neighbor or friend has reproached you in your absence or presence, then show love and praise him.
John Climacus
Image
Confession is like a bridle that keeps the soul which reflects on it from committing sin, but anything left unconfessed we continue to do without fear as if in the dark.
John Climacus
Image
Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.
John Climacus
Image
The first stage of this tranquility consists in silencing the lips when the heart is excited. The second, in silencing the mind when the soul is still excited. The goal is a perfect peacefulness even in the middle of the raging storm.
John Climacus
Image
When you are depressed, bear in mind the Lord's command to Peter to forgive a sinner seventy times seven (cf. Mt. 18:22). And you may be sure that He Who gave this command to another will Himself do very much more.
John Climacus
Image
The friend of silence comes close to God. In secret he converses with him and receives his light.
John Climacus
Image
Do not make judgments, and you will travel no quicker road to the forgiveness of your sins. 'Judge not, so that you may not be judged' (Lk. 6:37).
John Climacus
Image
The man who pets a lion may tame it, but the man who coddles the body makes it ravenous.
John Climacus
Image
When people begin to praise us, let us hurry to remember the multitude of ours transgressions, and we will see that we are truly unworthy of that which they say and do in our honor.
John Climacus
Image
A proud monk needs no demon. He has turned into one, an enemy to himself.
John Climacus
Image
Simplicity is an enduring habit within a soul that has grown impervious to evil thoughts.
John Climacus
Image
Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John Climacus
Image
A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer.
John Climacus
Image
Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven.
John Climacus
Image
I know a man who, when he saw a woman of striking beauty, praised the Creator for her. The sight of her lit within him the love of God.
John Climacus
Image
The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.
John Climacus
Image
The slave of the belly ponders the menu with which to celebrate the feast. The servant of God, however, thinks of the graces that may enrich him.
John Climacus
Image
Obedience is the burial of the will and the resurrection of humility.
John Climacus
Image
As fire does not give birth to snow, so those who seek honor here will not enjoy it in heaven... As those who climb a rotten ladder are in danger, so all honor, glory, and power are opposed to humility.
John Climacus
Image
A discerning man, when he eats grapes, takes only the ripe ones and leaves the sour. Thus also the discerning mind carefully marks the virtues which he sees in any person. A mindless man seeks out the vices and failings ... Even if you see someone sin with your own eyes, do not judge for often even your eyes are deceived.
John Climacus